Drivers have been urged to be cautious while travelling this afternoon on Top of the South highways.
Metservice has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Tasman west of Motueka for 14 hours from 2pm and a heavy rain watch for Marlborough west of Havelock for nine hours from 6pm.
It says 110 to 150mm of rain is expected under the orange warning with peak rates of 15 to 25mm/h expected from this evening which could trigger surface flooding, slips, and rapid rise of streams and rivers.
Waka Kotahi NZTA says the bad weather will affect State Highway 1 in Marlborough, State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson and the highway’s Buller Gorge section, State Highway 63 from Wairau Valley to St Arnaud, and State Highway 60 in Tākaka.
It says drivers must take extra care.
“Where heavy rain is forecast, drivers must be alert to the increased risk of slips, rockfalls, and localised flooding,” Waka Kotahi says.
“The poor weather will also coincide with peak traffic on Monday morning. Commuters must drive to the conditions – if the roads are wet, increase your following distance, avoid sudden braking, and use your headlights if visibility is poor.”
Waka Kotahi says roads could close at short notice in severe weather, and encourages drivers to check road and weather conditions before they travel.
Visit: NZ Highway Conditions and Metservice Weather Warnings for more information.
